Nationality Reinstatement: Documents, Process, and Timeline
An increasing number of people who have lived abroad and acquired foreign nationality are now seeking to recover their South Korean nationality.
The reasons vary—ranging from personal motivations and family reunification to plans to return and live in Korea.
Nationality recovery is not a simple administrative process; it represents the legal restoration of one’s status as a South Korean national.
Therefore, accurate information and thorough preparation are essential.
Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to the documents, procedures, and steps required when applying for nationality recovery.
✔Application for Recovery of Nationality
✔1 passport-size photo attached
✔Statement of Intent for Nationality Recovery
(Details on the reasons and background for applying)
✔Proof of former South Korean nationality
(Basic certificate, family relation certificate, or removed family register, etc.)
✔Proof of acquiring foreign nationality
(Original certificate of naturalization, citizenship certificate, etc.)
✔Criminal record certificate (exempt for applicants over 60)
✔Documents related to accompanying acquisition (if applicable)
(e.g., passport copy and birth certificate of a minor child)
✔Supporting documents about personal identity
(Relationship with parents, spouse, children, marital status, adoption, etc.)
✔Family relationship notification form
✔Fee: 200,000 KRW
Before applying for nationality recovery, one must first submit a report of nationality loss.
You might wonder: “Why do I need to report loss of nationality when I want to recover it?”
Only foreign nationals can apply for nationality recovery. To be officially recognized as a “foreigner,”
you must first complete a nationality loss report.
The need to file a nationality loss report depends on your current nationality status:
✔️ If you have acquired foreign nationality, your Korean nationality is automatically lost, but you must still file a nationality loss report for documentation purposes.
❗ The nationality loss report is a legal registration process confirming the loss of Korean nationality, which is necessary for updating the family relationship registry.
✅ Complete Guide to the Nationality Recovery Process and Required Documents
1. Nationality Loss Report
If you acquired foreign nationality but are still registered as a Korean citizen in the Korean administration, you must submit a nationality loss report.
🔖 Submission Offices:
✔In Korea: Immigration Office (Nationality Division)
✔Overseas: Korean embassy or consulate
🔖 Required Documents:
✔Nationality loss report form
✔Copy of foreign passport and citizenship certificate
✔Korean basic certificate and family relation certificate
✔Proof of name change (if applicable)
2. Application for Nationality Recovery
Once the nationality loss report is completed, you can apply for nationality recovery as a foreign national. The process may take 7–8 months depending on the Ministry of Justice's review.
🔖 Submission Office:
Only in Korea: Immigration Office (Nationality Division)
🔖 Required Documents:
Application form and personal statement for nationality recovery, etc.
3. Foreign Nationality Renunciation or Non-Exercise Oath
After receiving nationality recovery approval, you must choose one of the following within a year:
Renunciation of Foreign Nationality: Fully give up your foreign nationality and retain only Korean nationality
Oath of Non-Exercise of Foreign Nationality: For certain eligible individuals (e.g., F-4 visa holders), keep your foreign nationality but pledge not to exercise it within Korea
🔖 Submission Office:
✔In Korea: Immigration Office
✔Overseas: Korean embassy or consulate
4. Final Steps: Resident Registration, Passport Issuance, etc.
Once your nationality recovery is finalized, you must re-register your resident number and be added back to the family register.
🔖 Follow-up Procedures:
✔Enrollment in national health insurance
✔Coverage under the four major social insurances
✔Application for Korean passport
1. I already have foreign nationality—why do I still need to file a nationality loss report?
👉Even though you legally lost your Korean nationality by acquiring another, your status may not be updated in Korea’s family registry.
If that’s the case, your recovery application will be rejected. Filing the nationality loss report ensures your records are properly updated.
2. My name changed to an English version and doesn’t match my Korean name—what do I do?
👉Since documents from different countries often include various name formats,
you may be required to provide additional proof. Official translations, notarization,
and apostille services are typically required. We recommend using a legal administrative service that can handle everything in one go.
3. I heard my nationality recovery is approved—why haven’t I received a passport?
👉Approval alone doesn’t complete the process. You must renounce your foreign nationality or submit a non-exercise oath within one year. If you miss this step, your approval will be canceled.
4. The review process is long—can I stay in Korea while waiting?
👉Yes, you can. After the nationality loss report, you may apply for an F-4 visa as a Overseas Korean and register for a Residence Card (Alien Registration).
This allows you to legally stay in Korea while preparing your application and responding to requests.
Hanguk Visa provides customized visa solutions for overseas Koreans and foreign nationals living in Korea.
We offer consulting and agency services for personal and business visas, including translation, stay duration management, and more.
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We also guide you through the entire nationality recovery process: nationality loss report, recovery application, and non-exercise oath.
Our team can handle all document preparation, translations, notarizations, and apostille procedures with speed and accuracy.
We also offer legal and administrative consultations to help with common issues in the nationality recovery process.
We’ll suggest the best visa solution for your specific situation.
📞Tel: 02-3210-1113
✉Kakao Channel: 한국비자
📣Instagram: @hanguk_visa
